Do you feel that just attending school is not the end-all for an all-round education for your child? Do you feel that her creativity remains under optimized and she needs that something extra to make her shine? The best way would be to encourage her to get enrolled in some creative and novel ways of expressing herself.

One of the best ways would be to get her enrolled in a performing arts class like a dance, painting, drama or music class. There are again many variations in the type of performing arts your child might enjoy, but making a move in the right direction to grab her interest is the first thing you need to do. Performing arts are a very good way to engage children after school, to fuel their imagination, build imagination and confidence. The skills learnt in the pursuit of the performing arts will come in handy in other fields also.

How to encourage the child to participate in the performing arts?

The orientation of the child’s interest is sown at home. The child finds an expression in the home environment. If you see your child with an interest in the creative arts it is a good start.

You can add drama to storytelling sessions by acting out bedtime stories. If you could add costumes and props it would make the session more interesting for the child. For children, visual appeal is the strongest.

You can arrange group sessions at home with all family members chipping in. Calling friends and their families over to participate is a good way to encourage the drama. If you find like-minded people, you can even start your own drama club.

Checking out theatre shows and television shows on drama presentations is a good way to create an interest in the performing arts.

Look for classes and clubs after-school hours and on weekends. Many community parks and centres offer drama, music and dance classes. This is a good option if your children are not the sporty types. Children who pursue the performing arts are generally more creative and have higher confidence levels. They are also more articulate and can express themselves well.

Parents and children who share the passion for the performing arts can work on putting together a scrapbook or album together about the areas of their interest. This will help in growing the interest in the fields and will also help in creating an enduring bond between them.

Do ensure that you are available to encourage every little step that your little one takes to create a lasting interest in the medium.

The talent quotient of the child is important but what is more important is the love for drama and music. The child is appreciative of literature and culture and is also more receptive in school. Teamwork and interaction become a second nature to the child. It is important for the child to have an interest that fuels creativity and imagination.